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January 13, 2021: Updated COVID-19 guidelines for quarantine and isolation

COVID-19 Updates | 01.13.2021

Dear campus community,

As the spring semester got underway this week, members of the SMWC COVID-19 Task Force and I have been diligently monitoring our new testing protocols, and so far, we are very pleased with the response and have found our positive numbers to be low.

We have also been reviewing new guidance from the CDC, the Vigo County Health Department and other Indiana colleges concerning the length of time for quarantine and isolation. As such, the COIVD-19 Taskforce adopted new guidelines which will shorten the quarantine and isolation period for individuals exposed or infected with COVID-19 virus. We believe the shortened length will be less disruptive to students and employees while still being safe for the SMWC community.

It is important that everyone checks in on the #CampusClear app daily – all 7 days of the week! You will notice that some of the choices have changed, including the addition of “vaccinated.” Please take a few moments to review the selections, choose accordingly and pay attention to the instructions regarding any next steps once you have submitted your selection.

Your daily efforts in following these protocols is so appreciated! Together, we will be able to support in-person operations and face-to-face classes throughout the remainder of the semester! 

Thank you,

Janet R. Clark, Ph.D.
Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs

New Quarantine Guidelines

New guidelines for SMWC students and employees who have been directly exposed, but have not developed symptoms or illness, are that they may return to work or class on day 8 if no symptoms have developed and if they are able to show a negative test result.

  • Individuals may test on day 5, 6 or 7, with a PCR test and wait at home on test results. If results are negative, they may return to work or class on day 8. The test must be a PCR test, which take 24 or more hours for a result, and not a rapid test.
  • The Individual should continue to monitor symptoms for 14 days using the #CampusClear app. If new symptoms develop, they should test again and stay home until the results are in.
  • While in quarantine, they should restrict activities to mitigate further spread should they become sick.

Testing is readily available for asymptomatic individuals in Vigo County including on campus via the Lucid Laboratory site in the lower level of Rooney Library, which is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. You may request a test at no cost with or without insurance if you have been exposed and have a medical necessity. You will be asked to complete the same screening questionnaire as provided during the first round of testing, which may be found online: LUCID COVID-19 screening questionnaire.

New Isolation Guidelines

Individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 are asked to isolate during their infectious period or while recuperating to prevent the spread of the infection to others.

  • Individuals should follow recommendations or directions provided by their healthcare provider, the health department or stay home for 10 days.
  • Individuals should be fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications and other symptoms are improving.
  • A negative test is not required.

SMWC COVID-19 Dashboard

We are excited that everyone is back on campus with work, classes and activities resuming. We began collecting data on the SMWC community as of January 11, and we will resume reporting on this data through the dashboard on the SMWC website on January 19. The prior week’s data will also be posted.